Fire in the Latin American City. Contributions for a Historical Approach to Igneous Vulnerability

Abstract

This article presents a reflection on vulnerability and fire in Latin American urban history. First, a historiographical analysis allows us to confirm the current need and importance of incorporating fire studies into the urban history of the region. Indeed, it is clear that fire has been an unexplored topic of study in the scientific literature of the region. Furthermore, the article makes a theoretical approach to fire and its importance for historical thought. This allows to confirm that understanding the history of fire is an important contribution to urban history. In addition, the main challenges for studying fire from a simultaneously historical and Latin American perspective are highlighted. Finally, it develops reflection that incorporates an epistemological proposal to associate fire with risk and vulnerability studies. Thus, it is possible to demonstrate that the particular relationship between fire and the city helps to understand the historical processes of production of unequal vulnerabilities in Latin America